Communicative Activities in the Foreign Language Classroom

IFLTA- The Power of Languages

Katharina KippPurdue University11-03-2012

Introduction

Activities that have proven to be successful in my courses

Foster communication and vocabulary acquisition

The Communicative Classroom

1.) Actively involve students 2.) Make the exercises relevant to them 3.) Let them obtain actual information

(Savignon 1972,VanPatten 2003)

Vocabulary

Active vocabulary strengthening

das Haus

The Communicative Classroom

1.) Interview-Activities

2.) Vocabulary-Activities

[instructions should always be given in German]

Interview

Interview Activities

Interview

Partner Work (GER 101)

Interview

Mingle Activity (yes-no questions) (GER 201)

Speed Dating

Speed Dating

open, personalized questions time pressure

“real life factor”

Speed Dating

Classroom Arrangement

Speed Dating

Speed Dating Template (GER 101)

Speed Dating

3 min per person 3 people (3 columns)

Right row changes

At the end: Pick a favorite and talk about him/her (practice of 1st and 3rd person Sg.)

Speed Dating

1.) Personalize the topic 2.) Provide a template 3.) Practice oral and written communication 4.) Have them report back (in the third person)

[Different degrees of difficulty; open vs. closed answers]

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Activities

Vocabulary

Review/practice activities Mnemonic strategies (tie image to word and/or context)

Competition factor (Team A/Team B)

Picture Games

der Stuhl

Picture Games

einen Platten haben

Jeopardy

Practice/review vocabulary and/or grammar in context

Taboo

Guessing the word meaning without using the word itself

Explaining as many words as possible in one minute Pantomime and drawing are also allowed

Relates words and context, strengthens picture-word relationships, total-physical-response (TPR)

Taboo

“Das ist das Hemd für Frauen, nicht für Männer”

die Bluse

Taboo

(das) Weihnachten

Taboo

Frohe Weihnachten!

Fragen?

Fragen?

Danke schön!

Danke schön!